is there a difference if it's my spouses insurance?

I am on my husbands insurance plan (Cigna) and apparently it is 'self funded' --not exactly sure what that means- any help on that would be appreciated!  Does that mean the company's HR Department is making the decisions on cases that are appealed?  I am worried that a request for bariatric surgery and/or an appeal would somehow reflect negatively on my husband at work.  Is that dumb? Also, does that mean i am more likely to get a denial since I am not the employee on the policy?  thanks again Stefanie

Stephanie As long as you are covered on his policy, I can't think there is any way they can treat you any different because you are a spouse and not the employee. From what I understand, if self-funded,  the 2nd appeal goes to the employer's HR department for the company (not necessarily the local HR if it's a big company). The first appeal goes to the insurance company. If it's a small place, you may be able to speak to who is making the decision about the appeal, and give them information on how the VSG will save them money over the RNY (assuming they do cover WLS in the first place.  If they don't it may be harder to convince them --I think I heard some folks talk about getting a rider if that's the case, but I don't know anything about that) I am covered by my husband's insurance, and he works for a big company, so I will most likely have to send the information to a committee of faceless people who are going to make the decision on how well I can get the information across on paper! Martha